Shakey Graves: Inside the Hay Bale

For the past 11 Bonnaroos, Hay Bale Studio has been backstage on The Farm. Each year, studio maestro Elijah “Lij” Shaw has been at the helm, taking a few days off from his regular gig as the owner/operator of The Toy Box Studio in East Nashville. Bonnaroo artists stop by the studio to record a couple songs in a small, intimate only-at-‘Roo way sort of way. If you’re wondering how Hay Bale Studio got it’s name, the studio needed to be soundproofed and, being as it is on a farm, in true Bonnaroo spirit it was decided to use what was close at hand — bales of hay!

Austin native Shakey Graves, down on the farm for his inaugural performance at Bonnaroo, stopped by for a Hay Bale session and was kind enough to give photographer Laura Roberts a front row seat.

Step on in, and don’t mind the hay.

The Austin artist hits a high-note.

Shakey Graves gets it right during his Hay Bale session at backstage Bonnaroo. This is the artist’s first time performing at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival.

A focus on fretwork.

In addition to singing, Rose-Garcia has a background in acting, including a recurring role on the popular TV series “Friday Night Lights and several appearances in Robert Rodriguez films.

Staying on top of the groove.

Shakey Graves belts it out at the Hay Bale Studio. Shake Graves is currently up for three Americana Music Association's Honors & Awards following the success of his 2014 album And The War Came.

The artist is no stranger to the festival world, having already played the Newport Music Festival, Austin City Limits Music Festival and South By Southwest.

Shakey Graves gets the notes just right Saturday at the Hay Bale Studio.